TE GR3 Landscaping Reqs.docx

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT GR3

REQUIREMENTS FOR LANDSCAPING AND ASSOCIATED SERVICES

1. LANDSCAPING.

1.1 Delivery, Storage and Handling

1.1.1 The Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer’s Representative of the delivery schedule 7 days in advance so that plant and landscaping material may be inspected upon arrival at the job site. Unacceptable plant and landscape material shall be removed from the job site immediately.

1.1.2 Plants shall be protected during delivery to prevent damage to the root balls or desiccation of the leaves. Trees shall be protected during transport by tying in the branches and covering all exposed branches. Trees delivered to the job site not in accordance with these requirements shall be rejected and removed from the site immediately.

1.1.3 The use of equipment such as “tree spades’ shall be permitted provided that the plant balls are sized in accordance with ANZI Z60.1 and the tops are protected from damage.

1.1.4 Fertilizer and lime shall be delivered to the site in the original unopened containers bearing the manufacturer’s guaranteed chemical analysis, name, trade name or trademark, in conformance to state and federal law. In lieu of containers, fertilizer and lime may be furnished in bulk and a certificate indicating the above information shall accompany each delivery. Bulk deliveries will also require a certified weight receipt.

1.2. Storage:

1.2.1. Plant Storage: Plants not installed on the day of arrival at the site shall be stored and protected as follows:

a. Outside storage locations shall be shaded and protected from the wind.

b. Plants stored on the project shall be protected from drying out at all times by covering the balls or roots with moist sawdust, wood chips, or shredded bark.

c. Plants, including those in containers, shall be kept in a moist condition until planted by watering with a fine mist spray.

1.2.2. Plants not stored on the site in accordance with these requirements shall be rejected and immediately removed from the site.

1.2.3. Lime and fertilizer shall be kept in dry storage away from contaminants, stored off of the ground.

1.2.4. Soil sterilants and other herbicides are not to be stored with other landscape materials.

1.3 Handling and Transport. Care shall be taken to avoid damaging plants being moved from the nursery or storage area to the planting site. Plants shall be protected from drying out;. Balled and burlapped plants shall be handled carefully to avoid cracking or breaking the earth ball. Earth balls shall be uniformly firm. Plants not firmly anchored in their earth balls shall be rejected. Plants shall not be handled by the trunk or stems. Plants shall be protected from freezing or drying out be a covering of burlap, tarpaulin, or mulching material during transportation from the heeling‑in bed to the planting site. Damaged plants will be rejected and shall be removed from the site.

1.4. GUARANTEE:

Work shall be subject to the terms of this specifications section of the contract

a. New plant material shall be guaranteed through the plant establishment period of 12 months except as noted in paragraph (b) below.

b. Damage while making plant replacements shall be repaired at the contractor's expense and guaranteed through a new plant establishment period of 10 months.

1.5. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION: All work and contractor operations shall comply with the requirements of Section: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

1.6. MATERIALS:

1.6.1. Plants:

1.6.1.1. Plant material shall be NURSERY GROWN and shall conform to the requirements and recommendations of ANSI Z60.1. The definition of nursery grown is: "Plants which have been systematically planted in fertile, friable soil which is relatively free of stones and foreign matter and have received intensive horticultural after‑care." Horticultural after‑care shall include but not limited to:

(a.) Root pruning the tree in intervals sufficient to allow the tree to develop a dense fibrous root system. Large root stubs on BB stock is considered evidence of the lack of proper care and root pruning. Such plants shall be rejected at the project site. Plants which have a characteristic tap root system shall have allowance made for some large roots.

(b.) Branch pruning shade and flowering trees to provide a top growth which is systematically balanced. Shade trees shall have a single leader. Evergreen trees shall be pruned through out the tree life to provide a tree with full foliage of uniform density and with a single leader.

(c.) Proper spacing of plants in rows to develop a vigorously growing, well‑rounded, full developed plant. Quality nursery stock shall have been grown with sufficient spacing to permit development of each individual plant. Plants spaced too closely in the row will be tall and spindly with little side branching and shall be rejected. The maximum tree height and minimum number of branching shall be in strict accordance with ANSI Z60.1.

(d.) Plants shall conform to the varieties specified in the Unit Price Schedule and be true to name as listed in Standardized Plant Name. Plants shall be in accordance with ANSI Z60.1 except as otherwise stated in the specification. Where the specifications are in conflict with ANSI Z60.1, the specifications shall prevail.

1.6.1.3. Planting stock shall be well‑branched and well‑formed, sound, vigorous, healthy, and free from disease, sun‑scald, windburn, abrasion, and harmful insects or insect eggs and shall have healthy, normal and unbroken root systems. Deciduous trees and shrubs shall be systematically developed, of uniform habit of growth, with straight boles or stems and free from objectionable disfigurements. Evergreen trees and shrubs have well developed systematically tops with typical spread of branches for each particular species or variety. Ground‑covers shall be vigorous, have the number and length of runners‑and clump size specified. Only groundcover plants well established in removable containers, integral containers, or formed homogeneous soil sections shall be used. Plants shall have been grown under climatic conditions similar to those in the locality of the project. Plants budding into leaf or having soft growth shall be sprayed with an anitdesiccant at the nursery before digging.

1.6.1.4. The minimum acceptable sizes of all plants, measured after pruning and with branches in normal position, shall conform to the measurements indicated. Plants larger‑in size that specified may be used with the approval of the Contracting Officer with no change in the contract price. If large plants are used, the ball of earth or spread of roots shall be increased in accordance with ANSI Z60.1.

1.6.1.5. The Contractor shall facilitate inspection and identification by labeling trees and bundles or containers of the same shrub or groundcover with a durable waterproof label and weather resistant ink. Labels shall state the correct plant name and size specified in the list of required plants. Labels shall be securely attached to plants, bundles, and containers' of plants and shall be legible for 60 days after delivery to the planting site.

1.6.1.6. Plants shall be dug and prepared for shipment in a manner that will not cause damage to branches, shape, and future development after planting. Plants damaged in transit or not conforming to the specifications shall be rejected and immediately removed from the installation.

1.6.1.6.1. Balled and burlapped (B&B) plants shall have ball sizes at the minimum with rations conforming to ANSI Z60.1. Plants shall be balled with firm, natural balls of soil. Ball sizes should always be of a diameter and depth to encompass enough fibrous and feeding root system necessary for the full recovery of the plant. Damage to plant material caused by improper operations of mechanical diggers may be sufficient cause for rejection at the project site. Plants dug with equipment leaving a cone‑shaped ball shall be carefully checked to insure that an excessive portion of the feeder‑roots have not been cut away. At the minimum, trees 6 feet and over in height or 2 inches in caliper and over shall be B&B using wire baskets for additional support. Trunks are to be protected during loading and shipping. Root balls which are loose will be rejected and shall be removed immediately from the installation.

1.6.1.6.3. Container grown plants shall have sufficient root growth to hold the earth intact when removed from container but shall not be root bound.

1.6.1.6.4. Plantation grown stock shall conform to ANSI Z60.

1.6.1.7. Substitutions shall be made only when a plant is not obtainable and the COR authorizes a change order and approves the use of another variety or species of plant having the same essential characteristics, site requirements and equitable value.

1.7 Plant Installation:

1.7.1 Planting Seasons and Conditions. Planting shall be done with the approval of the Contracting Officer only when the ground is not frozen, snow covered, or in an otherwise unsuitable condition for planting. If special conditions exist that may warrant a variance in the above planting dates or conditions, a written request shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer stating the special conditions and proposed variance. Planting shall be done within the following dates:

a. Deciduous Material from 1 September to 15 May.

b. Evergreen material from 1 September to 15 May.

c. No evergreen trees or shrubs shall be planted 1 December to 15 March.

d. All Willow Oaks and Red Oaks are to be dug between 15 Feb. and 30 April.

1.7.2 Layout. Plant material locations and bed outlines shall be marked and maintained on the project site by the Contractor and approved by the Contracting Officer’s Representative before any pits or beds are dug. The Contracting Officer's Representative will determine the size and shape of planting beds as well as the number and types of plant material to be planted. The Contracting Officer's Representative may mark and adjust plant material locations and markings to meet field conditions.

1.7.3 Excavation for Planting:

1.7.3.1 Excavation Permit: See paragraph EXCAVATION PERMIT of the SPECIAL PROVISION.

1.7.3.2. Prior to excavating for plant pits and beds the location of any underground utilities shall be verified by the Contractor and the Contracting Officer's Representative. Utilities shall be clearly marked once for the Contractor at no additional expense. It will then be the responsibility of the Contractor to maintain the proposed tree location marks and all utility line location marks until the tree is planted.

1.7.3.3 Turf Protection. In all lawn areas which have been established prior to planting operations, the surrounding turf shall be protected before excavations are made. Heavy mechanical equipment shall not be allowed on existing turf areas. Existing trees, shrubbery, and beds that are to be preserved shall be barricaded in a manner that will effectively protect them during planting operations. Any damage to turf or established areas as a result of Contractor operations shall be promptly restored to its original condition.

1.7.3.4 Rock Removal. Rocks and other underground obstructions shall be removed to a depth necessary to permit proper planting according to plans. If solid rock ledges are encountered, other locations may be selected by the Contracting Officer's Representative.

1.7.3.5 Hardpan Drainage. In areas where a hardpan layer of impervious soil is encountered at the bottom of the plant pit, positive drainage shall be provided through the hardpan by using a post-hole digger or power auger. The drainage hole shall be a minimum eight inches in diameter. The hole shall reach a depth of no less than 24 inches below the bottom of the planting pot. The drainage hole shall be filled with coarse, washed gravel. If it is determined by the Contracting Officer's Representative that the plant should not be placed in that location, an alternate planting site may be selected by the Contracting Officer's Representative.

1.7.3.6 Plant Pits. Plant pits may be dug by any approved method provided that they meet ANSI Z60.1 specifications and tree and shrub planting details as shown on the enclosed plates 1 and 2. When pits are dug with an auger and the sides of the pits become glazed, the surface shall be scarified.

1.7.3.7 Existing Soil Use. Where existing soil is to be used in place, cured leaf/grass compost from the Yard Waste Facility and granular limestone shall be spread uniformly over the existing soil to a depth of 12 inches using a rototiller or similar type of equipment to obtain a uniform and well pulverized soil mix. During operations all sticks, stones, roots, and other objectionable materials shall be removed. Plant beds shall be brought to a smooth surface conforming to established grades.

1.7.3.8 Planting Soil Mixture. The planting soil mixture shall be composed of 1/3 part top soil/leaf compost and 2/3 parts natural soil

1.7.3.9 Plant Beds. All plants, shrubs and trees planted within three feet of one another will be bedded. Where planting beds occur in existing turf areas, the turf shall be removed to a depth that will ensure the removal of the entire root system. Extracted turf shall not be left in plant beds or tree mounds. Planting beds shall occur where trees, shrubs, and ground cover are planted in close proximity, three foot spacing or closer. The existing turf between plants shall be removed to a depth that will ensure the removal of the entire root system and the entire area will be mulched. When available the Contractor shall use mulch generated at the Yard Waste Compost Facility. It is anticipated that approximately 3,694 cubic yards of wood mulch will be available from the Yard Waste Compost Facility annually. If this supply is exhausted, hardwood bulk mulch shall be purchased and used.

1.7.4 Setting Plants. Balled and burlapped and container grown plants shall be handled and moved only by the root ball or container. Because of the high probability or permanent damage to the tree root hairs by the careless handling of the trees, all trees which are mishandled by picking up and moving the trees by the trunk shall be rejected. Plants dropped from a height of six inches or more shall be rejected. Plants shall be set plumb and held in position by only ball until sufficient soil has been firmly placed around the ball. Plants shall be set in relation to surrounding grade so that they are two inches above the depth at which they were grown in the nursery or container.

1.7.4.1 Balled and Burlapped Stock. Balled and burlapped stock shall be backfilled with planting soil mixture to approximately half of the depth of the ball and then tamped and watered. Excess burlap and tying materials shall be carefully removed and folded back. Wire baskets will be cut on the top and sides and removed from the upper 12 inches of the root ball after the tree is placed in the hole and set. The wire shall not protrude above the soil. The remainder of the backfill shall be tamped and watered. Earth saucers or water basins then shall be formed around individual plants.

1.7.4.2 Container Grown Stock. Container grown stock shall be removed from containers in such a way as to prevent damage to the plant or root system. Damaged or root bound stock shall be rejected. Planting shall be completed as specified herein under balled and burlapped plants. Ground cover plants may be planted after the mulch is in place. Care shall be taken to avoid contaminating the mulch with the planting soil.

1.7.4.3 Tree and Shrub Tagging. All trees and shrubs shall be tagged once planted. The tag should include the Contractor's name and the date planted. Tags shall remain legible for at least one year from date of planting. Tags shall remain on shrubs and trees until removed by Contracting Officer's Representative or until the tree or shrub is replaced by the Contractor.

1.7.6 Watering. All watering shall be done in a manner which will provide coverage but will not cause erosion or damage to the finished surface. Sufficient water shall be applied to penetrate the soil to a minimum depth of four inches.

1.7.7 Mulching. Mulching shall take place within 24 hours after planting. Mulch is to be applied and maintained at a depth of 2-3 inches and a minimum diameter of 36 inches for trees and 20 inches for shrubs. Mulch shall be kept out of the crowns of shrubs and off buildings, sidewalks, light standards and other structures. When available, the Contractor shall use mulch generated at the Yard Waste Compost Facility. It is anticipated that approximately 3,694 cubic yards of wood mulch will be available from the Yard Waste Compost Facility annually. If this supply is exhausted, hardwood bulk mulch shall be purchased and used.

1.7.8 Wrapping and Pipe Placement. Only thin barked trees that are prone to sun scald and trunk damage are to be wrapped with an approved wrap. The Contracting Officer's Representative will inspect the trunks of the trees for physical damage or insect infestation and determine required treatment or protection prior to the wrapping operation. The trunks of designated deciduous trees shall be wrapped with the specified material beginning at the base and extending to the first branches. The wrapping shall be securely tied at the top and bottom and at 18 inches. A black plastic pipe six inches in height and diameter will be placed around the trunk of the lower six inches of all deciduous trees within the planting period of the specified delivery order.

1.7.9 Staking and Guying. Plants shall be staked and guyed as directed by the Contracting Officer's Representative within 24 hours of installation. Failure of the Contractor to follow this schedule shall result in the trees being rejected. All rejected trees shall be removed immediately and replaced during the current planting season. Parallel staking is required for all trees planted in residential areas where children live, unless otherwise directed by the Contracting Officer's Representative.

1.7.10 Pruning. Plant material shall be pruned in the following manner: dead and broken branches shall be removed; typical growth habit of individual plants shall be retained with as much height and spread as is practicable; cuts shall be made with sharp instruments, and shall be sufficiently close to the trunk or parent limb, without cutting into the branch collar or leaving a protruding stub, so that closure can readily start under normal conditions; clean cuts shall be made at all times; branches larger than two inches in diameter shall be undercut then cut off just outside the undercut to prevent stripping bark; "Headback" cuts at right angles to line or growth shall not be permitted; and trees shall not be pooled or the leader removed. All tree debris shall be removed from the site by the Contractor.

1.7.11 Restoration and Clean-up. Excess and waste material shall be removed daily. When planting in an area that has been completed, the area shall be cleared of all debris, spoil piles, and containers. Where existing grass areas have been damaged or scarred during planting operations, the Contractor shall restore the disturbed areas to their original condition. At least one paved pedestrian access route and one paved vehicular access route to each building shall be kept clean at all times. Other paving shall be cleaned when work in adjacent areas is completed.

1.7.12 Maintenance During Installation. Maintenance operations shall begin immediately after each plant is planted and shall continue as required until final acceptance by the Contracting Officer's Representative. Plants shall be kept in a healthy, growing condition by watering, pruning, weeding, and any other necessary operations of maintenance. Plant mounds and beds shall be kept free of weeds, grass, and other undesired vegetation. Plants shall be inspected at least once per week by the Contractor during the installation period and needed maintenance performed within one week. The Contractor shall have an employee certified by the State of Virginia in Category 3A 1 Ornamental Shade Trees on the site when applying pesticides. The Contractor shall provide a written proposal to the Contracting Officer's Representative for approval prior to any pesticide application. Product labels as well as method and rate of application shall be approved by the Contracting Officer's Representative prior to use. After application of pesticides, the Contractor will complete a Form DD 1532 or other approved record form, record of pesticide applications, and deliver to the Contracting Officer's Representative.

1.7.12.1 Maintenance Plan Approval. The Contractor shall submit his plant maintenance plan for approval to the Contracting Officer's Representative prior to the start of work. The maintenance plan shall include, as a minimum: provisions to inspect all the plants once a month during the plant establishment period and a projected schedule for fertilization, re-mulching, watering, and any additional considerations. Actual dates and areas of maintenance; type of maintenance activities and quantities of materials used are to be provided in writing to the COR.

1.7.13 Plant Establishment Period. Final acceptance of all work and materials covered under this section shall be at the end of a period of establishment to be determined as follows:

1.7.13.1 Start of Period. The period of establishment shall begin on the date that an inspection by the Contracting Officer's Representative in accordance with the specifications and Contractor plan is conducted. Any loss through Contractor negligence shall require replacement in kind and size per the specification and shall be at the Contractor's expense. This period will begin no earlier than on the day that the last plant of the delivery order has been verified by the Contracting Officer's Representative to be in accordance with the specifications and Contractor plans. All dead plants under warranty are to be replaced by the Contractor before the end of the current planting season.

1.7.13.2 Plant Maintenance.

1.7.13.2.1 During the plant establishment period, the Contractor shall water all plants as necessary to maintain an adequate supply of moisture within the root zone. An adequate supply of moisture is estimated to be the equivalent of one inch of absorbed water per week that is delivered at weekly intervals in the form of natural rain or is augmented as required by periodic watering. Water shall not be applied so quickly that is cannot be absorbed by the mulch and plants.

1.7.13.2.2 Plants shall be pruned and mulch replaced as required. When available the Contractor shall use mulch generated at the Yard Waste Compost Facility. It is anticipated that approximately 3,694 cubic yards of wood mulch will be available from the Yard Waste Compost Facility annually. If this supply is exhausted, hardwood bulk mulch shall be purchased and used.

1.7.13.2.3 Stakes, guys, tree wrapping, and eroded plant saucers shall be replaced as required.

1.7.13.2.4 In plant beds, grass and weeds shall not be allowed to reach a height of three inches before being completely removed, including the root growth. Re-mulching to a depth of three inches shall be done the day weeding is accomplished. When available the Contractor shall use mulch generated at the Yard Waste Compost Facility. It is anticipated that approximately 3,694 cubic yards of wood mulch will be available from the Yard Waste Compost Facility annually. If this supply is exhausted, hardwood bulk mulch shall be purchased and used. When plants are in groups other than cultivated beds, the Contractor shall not allow grass or other vegetation between them to become more than five inches in height.

1.7.13.2.5 Other work, such as spraying with approved pesticides to control pests, shall be done to ensure plant survival and a healthy growing condition.

1.7.13.2.6 Trees shall not be fertilized during the period of establishment. Groundcover and shrubs shall be fertilized at least once between 1 March and 30 April, except spring blooming shrubs. The fertilizer formula for ornamental flowering acid-loving plants shall be 25N-15P-10K, with supplemental iron sulfate. The fertilizer formula for all other plant material shall be 5N-10P-5K. Spring-blooming shrubs shall be fertilized within one month after blooming or no later than 15 June. All other plant material is to be fertilized between 1 March and 30 April. Exceptions to this fertilization schedule and/or to fertilization rates shall be subject to prior approval by the Contracting Officer's Representative.

1.7.13.2.7 The Contractor shall remove dead plants within seven calendar days of notification by the Contracting Officer's Representative. The Contractor shall not be responsible for theft or damage to plants by vehicles or vandalism following completion and approval of the installation portion of the planting contract except when the damage is the result of negligence by the Contractors employees.

1.7.13.2.8 Required Inspections.

1.7.13.2.9 Six Month Inspection. A six month inspection shall occur after completion of the Contractor planting of a specified delivery order, weather and time permitting. Any plants which are not found to be healthy and growing are to be replaced. A second inspection will be made and upon written acceptance of the work, a ten month warranty on the newly replaced plants will begin.

1.7.13.2.10 Preliminary Inspection. A preliminary inspection by the contractor and the Contracting Officer will be held 12 months from the date of the beginning of the plant establishment period (except for plants replaced at the six month inspection), to determine plant acceptability and the number of replacement. Alternate or substitute varieties of plants shall be used only if approve by the Contracting Officer's Representative.

1.7.13.2.11 Final Inspection. A final inspection of all plants will be held after the replacement planting has been completed. A ten month plant establishment period will be required for replacement plants. The Contractor will be responsible for the performance of all maintenance during this period. The establishment period will end on the date of this inspection and said inspection will be considered final acceptance provided the Contractor has complied with the following requirements (except as provided in paragraph 1.7.13.2.12 hereinafter):

1.7.13.2.11.1 Dead, missing, and defective plant material shall have been replaced as specified in paragraph 1.7.13.1. Otherwise, final acceptance will be delayed until such replacements have been satisfactorily accomplished.

1.7.13.2.11.2 Plant beds and plant saucers shall have been properly mulched and shall be free of weeds.

1.7.13.2.11.3 Stakes, tree-wrapping and guys shall be removed at the end of the plant establishment period.

1.7.13.2.11.4 Remedial measures directed by the Contracting Officer's Representative to ensure plant survival shall have been carried out.

1.7.13.2.11.5 Plant material shall have been fertilized as required prior to acceptance.

1.7.13.2.12 At the end of the ten month warranty period for replacement plants, an inspection will be undertaken by the Contractor and the Contracting Officer's Representative to determine plant health and growth. Any plants not meeting these conditions shall be replaced with identical species and size as per the specification.

1.8 Plants

1.8.8 Plant Type H Trees. The Contractor shall provide, plant and maintain 6’-7’ Blue Atlas Cedars (Type H). 1.8.9 Plant Type J Trees. The Contractor shall provide, plant and maintain Type J Trees. Type J Trees are 6’-7’ Foster Hollys and Bald Cypress.

English Boxwood, Leatherleaf Mahonia, and Bigleaf Hydrangea.

1.8.36 Plant Type F Ground Cover. Contractor shall provide, plant and maintain Type F ground cover. Type F ground cover is a one gallon container of Joe Pye Weed.